What to Do When There Are Stains After Cleaning Bird Droppings Off the Car?
3 Answers
First, rinse thoroughly with water, then clean with a wax remover solvent. After that, neutralize with a sodium bicarbonate solution, rinse thoroughly, and finally dry and polish with car wax. You can also use a clay bar for cleaning. Soak the clay bar in water and rub it back and forth over the bird droppings for excellent stain removal. If left uncleaned for a long time, at best, it may leave hard-to-remove marks on the paint, and at worst, it could cause the paint to chip off.
A few days ago, there was also a bird dropping stain on my car roof, and I found that it couldn’t be rinsed off with plain water during washing. I tried soaking a towel in warm water, placing it over the stain for 5 minutes to soften the residue, and then gently wiping it. If this doesn’t work, you can buy a bottle of automotive cleaning wax, apply it to a microfiber cloth, and rub in circular motions. Remember not to use laundry detergent or dish soap, as they can damage the car paint. My experience is that if the stain doesn’t come off, don’t scrape it hard—just go to a car wash for a spot polish. Usually, park away from under trees, keep wet wipes in the car for quick cleaning, and waxing the car body also has a protective effect. Personally tested, it can reduce stain problems by half.
I totally relate to the bird poop stains. Once after a vacation, my entire hood was covered in white spots that left hazy marks even after washing. The key is to act fast - use neutral car shampoo before the droppings dry completely. Later at a detailing shop, I learned those marks are actually acid-etched oxidized paint layers. They fixed it using clay bars with car shampoo and a polisher. Now I always carry spray sealant when washing - spraying it immediately on fresh droppings provides protection and makes wiping easier. Well-protected paint won't show stains even under sunlight.
